What is going on with ML baseball umpires

[PeteBooth]

[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by UMP25

Which is why I said with rare exception. Every profession has its employees who are less than excellent, MLB umpiring included. However, Major League Baseball umpires are the best umpires there are.

IMO, you cannot compare "other' professions with that of MLB

RE: When you attend law school or medical school while you might not be the top of your profession you can make a decent living.

In umpiring, until one makes it to the "show" for the most part you make peanuts. If you want to attract the best then you need a system that will attract the best.

There might be some excellent umpires out there but they may have a family etc,. and simply cannot afford a trip to the minors given the current pay structure.

Heck MLB has a "stink" whenever the minor league umpires do want a raise in pay or better living arrangements etc. as evidenced by the past strike.

What you have is a system that attracts those that can afford to work for peanuts not necessarily the best candidates available but those that are available.

Pete Booth